Новости/Аналитика

Prospects for the use of cannabinoids in various types of beverages

19.12.2018

Trends in the use of cannabinoids in the market of non-alcoholic, low-alcoholic or alcoholic products may become the main trend of the largest companies in the market in the next few years.

On the pages of the specialized electronic edition of Ukrainian cannabis were already described "The reasons why hemp is introduced into the composition of various brands of beer." In this material we will try to demonstrate why the plant is predisposed to be used as one of the main elements in non-alcoholic, low alcohol or alcoholic recipes, as well as to demonstrate trends that clearly crystallized and will be implemented in the next few years on the market.

Hemp - a plant genetically similar to hops.

A recently published study conducted by John M. McPartland (John M. McPartland) was the study of the biological classification of hemp plants throughout its history. One of the discoveries made in the course of Mr. McPartland’s research activities was that cannabis, in the form in which we know it today, “lost its brother” about 28 million years ago. This cannabis sibling was hops (Húmulus, lat).

Hops contain flowers that are commonly used as a flavoring for beer - it is not an intoxicating ingredient in a low-alcohol beverage, but a central component of any modern "intoxicating beverage."

“An analysis of molecular hours using chloroplast DNA demonstrates that hemp and hops" diverged at the genetic level "about 27.8 million years ago," asserts in his work "Microfossil (fossil pollen) Tibetan Plateau ”John M. McPartland. The American researcher claims that “earlier botanists classified cannabis with genetically unrelated plants based on the similarity of the shape of the leaves, the possibility of human use or other artificial features. However, plant affinity needed to be considered on the basis of the morphology of the most important functions - the reproduction system, nutrition, DNA similarity, etc. ” Another discovery of American scientists was the understanding that the modern cannabis species Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica genetically isolated a little over a million years ago.

In other words, on the basis of DNA sequences that take into account the molecular hours of each type of plant, the researchers were able to determine at what time period hemp and hops genetically diverged. Both plants are part of the same broader family Cannabaceae, but the genetic changes that occurred about 28 million years ago led to similar structures in a completely different way of development.

According to McPartland, who is a professor at the University of Vermont (University of Vermont, USA), the botanical affinity of hops and hemp was first noted in scientific publications as early as 1583.

A joint project of Canadian brewers and growers

Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) - the world's largest beer company has entered into a joint activity agreement with Tilray, under which specialists from both companies will explore the possibility of using tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in soft drink formulations. Each of the companies invests $ 50 million in the above joint project and so far limits its activities to the territory of Canada, where recreational cannabis is legal, respectively, TGCs and CBDs can be legally used in the production of various non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic products.

Labatt Canada brewery president (part of AB InBev) announced to the media that “Labatt is keen to keep up with new consumer trends. Since the Canadian market is in dire need of products containing TGCs and CBDs, we strive to provide our customers with products of the highest quality, responsibly distributed in those countries where these issues will be settled at the legislative level. We intend to thoroughly study the market of non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverages containing THC and CBD in order to determine their potential and commercial potential. ”

Commentary of the «Ukrainian Industrial Hemp Association»

Considering the above-described studies of American scientists, joint projects of companies that produce non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages, brewers and cannabisers from the USA, Canada, China, the EU (Estonia, Switzerland) and other economically developed countries of the world to create various cannabis drinks, the initiative of two Canadian companies to create cannabinoid-rich hop drink, it can be stated that this kind of tendency to use cannabinoids in the market of non-alcoholic, low-alcoholic or alcoholic products AI can become the main trend of the largest companies of the market in the next few years.